District 7
RANK #555 / 996 NAT · #15 / 33 TN · POP 367,193
1YR FORECAST: -0.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +22%
Hamilton County, Tennessee, is often recognized for Chattanooga, its largest city and county seat, which sits along the Tennessee River. The county is located in the southern part of East Tennessee, bordering Georgia, and offers a mix of urban, suburban, rural, and mountain communities. Commutes to Chattanooga from surrounding towns like Soddy-Daisy typically range from 17 to 25 minutes. The area is known for its outdoor recreation, with attractions like Lookout Mountain, Ruby Falls, and the Tennessee Riverpark providing opportunities for hiking, water activities, and scenic views. Hamilton County Parks and Recreation manages a network of parks and green spaces, offering various recreational programs.
Life in Hamilton County offers diverse community options, from the suburban feel of Ooltewah with its schools and parks, to the historic charm of St. Elmo at the foot of Lookout Mountain. Hamilton County Schools serves over 44,000 students across urban, suburban, and rural communities. The economy sees investment in data centers and industrial/logistics sectors. Downtown Chattanooga has experienced revitalization, with growth in hospitality, residential, and commercial areas. Efforts are also underway to support local entrepreneurship through initiatives like the Small Business Resource Center.
Well below national median
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.1x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Urban Story Ventures Data Center (Jailhouse Studios project)
Urban Story Ventures (in partnership with Oracle)
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
North River Commerce Park Development
Undisclosed (supported by TIF)
|
$100M | Under Construction |
|
Kordsa Chattanooga Facility Expansion
Kordsa Inc.
|
$50M | Completed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Hamilton County scores 44/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#555). Median household income is $69,069 and job growth is running at +1.6%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Hamilton County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $250,900 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.28, with rents averaging $1,079/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Hamilton County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +0.9% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.6% clip. Home values shifted -0.3% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.19% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Hamilton County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.